Staff Correspondent: The Flow Fest, a Bangladesh-born wellness festival, will hold its 5th edition at Fortis Platinum Lounge in Jolshiri from November 12 to 14, expanding its reach beyond Gulshan to bring holistic wellbeing experiences to a wider Dhaka community.

The three-day event, titled Winter Wellness, will also mark the soft launch of Fortis Platinum Lounge, an outdoor destination featuring green fields, open spaces and horseback riding. Under the campaign slogan “Dhaka, let’s go outside”, the festival aims to turn the venue into an interactive learning space focused on movement, mindfulness, creativity and connection.

Founded by Shazia Omar, The Flow Fest has organised four consecutive editions around these four pillars. The latest edition will combine talks, workshops and practical activities to encourage visitors to explore different approaches to physical and mental wellbeing.

The programme will cover nutrition, rest and recovery, women’s health, workplace wellness, meditation, fascia stretching, lymphatic drainage, yoga and mental decluttering. It will also introduce visitors to practices ranging from modern science and mental healthcare to ancient wisdom and complementary wellness approaches.

Shazia, a yoga teacher with more than 25 years of experience, said the festival draws inspiration from international yoga festivals and traditional ashrams, where the wellbeing of people, animals and the environment are interconnected.

“I want to create a space where asking for help is seen as courage, not weakness. Where people feel comfortable talking about mental health, exploring different approaches to wellbeing and sharing what has helped them,” she said.

She added that the festival aims to make wellness accessible to everyone, encouraging people to learn new practices, build friendships and seek support without stigma.

Winter Wellness will feature yoga, meditation, sound healing, martial arts, dance, fitness challenges and discussions on mental and physical health. Children's activities will include storytelling, arts and crafts, singalongs and movement sessions. Poetry slams and open-mic performances will provide space for creative expression.

Music will be a major part of the programme. Nemesis will close the opening day, while SYM Society is scheduled to perform on Friday morning. TUI, a collaboration between Namrata and Mehsam, will combine classical and electronic sounds. Cassette will also perform on Friday, while Project Dhaka Creative will host an open-mic session on Saturday.

The Flow Market will bring together wellness and self-care products, fashion, home décor, food, arts and crafts, local sellers and thrift shops. New ventures joining the event include Bare and Blossom, which offers clean products for babies, and Bhorta Bros, which will serve pantha bhaat and bhorta under the festival's gratitude tree.

Non-governmental organisations and community groups will also participate, encouraging discussions on mental health, inclusion and social connection.

Beyond the workshops and performances, the festival will offer visitors an opportunity to spend time outdoors through picnics, horseback riding and yoga sessions in the open air. Organisers are encouraging families and friends to use the event as an opportunity to reconnect with nature and explore new communities.

The festival's central message is that seeking help should be viewed as an act of courage and that wellbeing can be strengthened through social connection rather than isolation.

Day passes are priced at Tk 350, while a three-day pass will cost Tk 850. Concerts and workshops are included in the ticket price, and children under five will be admitted free. Complimentary shuttle services will operate from designated pick-up points.

The event will take place at Fortis Platinum Lounge, Jolshiri, from November 12 to 14. Visitors can register through the festival website, theflowfest.com/winterflow. The organisers have advised attendees to bring yoga mats, picnic blankets and water bottles.

Founded by Shazia Omar, The Flow Fest is a women-led wellness initiative that organises festivals, retreats, studio classes, community activities and workplace wellness programmes. It aims to make holistic wellbeing more accessible through movement, mindfulness, creativity and connection.